When it comes to education in India, there are few names that carry as much weight as Nooraine Fazal. Like the conductor of a grand orchestra, Fazal leads the ensemble of education with grace, precision, and unwavering passion. She orchestrates change and innovation in a field ripe for transformation, inspiring countless others to join her in the pursuit of a harmonious future.
As the Co-Founder and Managing Trustee of Inventure Academy, one of Bangalore’s most sought-after schools, Fazal exemplifies the qualities of a trailblazer and a true Inventurer.
Let’s take a deep dive into her life, vision, and leadership.
Roots and Ambitions: The Making of an Inventurer
Born into a family with strong political and business ties in Bangalore, Fazal’s journey took her across the globe before ultimately leading her back to her hometown. After completing her undergraduate degree at Mount Carmel College, she pursued a Master of Science degree in Management at Boston University, USA. This prestigious education laid the groundwork for her professional career, which saw her working with industry giants such as IBM Ltd (London) and Reuters Group PLC.
Fazal’s tenure at these companies took her to various corners of the world, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sydney, and Hong Kong. However, it was the aftermath of the September 11 attacks that spurred her into a year of self-discovery. As she explored life sciences, adventure tourism, and cross-border collaborations between Indian companies and US universities, the seeds of her foray into education were sown.
Inventure Academy: The Genesis of a New Age in Education
Born from a passion for shaping the future, Inventure Academy is the brainchild of Nooraine Fazal and her unwavering dedication to educational excellence. By fusing the best practices of traditional and new-age schools, Inventure Academy has rapidly risen to prominence as a top choice for Bangalore’s discerning, upwardly mobile professionals and entrepreneurs.
At the heart of the academy lies a unique, proprietary curriculum that strikes a delicate balance between rigorous academics and co-curricular activities. The result is an institution that nurtures well-rounded individuals, fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and the celebration of individuality.
Inventure’s education philosophy and approach empowers children to be positive changemakers in the world they have inherited. Its nurturing environment and experiential learning opportunities enable all Inventurers to discover and realize their true potential, in both academics and beyond academics. The institution catalyzes students into becoming critical thinkers and self-directed learners who are equipped to excel in their chosen field(s), anywhere in the world.
The Maestro’s Baton
As an agent of change, Fazal wields her leadership baton with a combination of transparency, inclusivity, and adaptability. She is equally comfortable in driving or co-creating the vision for Inventure Academy and engaging in hands-on execution. Her natural style is intuitive and decisive, favoring collaboration and consensus-building as she navigates the challenges and opportunities of her role.
In times of instability or disruption, Fazal’s leadership style shifts to a more command and control approach. Even in the face of adversity, she delivers tough messages with compassion and maintains a zen-like composure under pressure. This situational leadership style has earned her a reputation as a resilient and effective leader.
Innovating for Change
Fazal is passionate about education as a tool for personal growth and societal change. She believes that every child has the right to learn and participate in shaping their future. With this ethos in mind, she led the Alliance for #RighttoLearn, a movement that brought together schools and stakeholders to ensure quality education for all.
Her dedication to education is also exemplified in her work on drafting a White Paper – Online Learning & Community Building in the COVID-19 Age. The paper proved instrumental in helping the government and schools across different socio-economic spectrums formulate desirable and suitable online learning models to provide quality education to all in the post-COVID world.
As a strong advocate for children’s voices, Fazal co-created Inventure’s Our Voice platform, enabling learners to participate in policy making and community problem-solving. This initiative empowered learners to contribute to the Karnataka State Child Protection Policy and the National Education Policy, creating a culture of participation and inclusivity.
Inventure’s commitment to quality education extends beyond its own students. Fazal led the adoption of Ramagondanahalli (RGHalli), a government school, with the aim of transforming it into a center of excellence. Inventure recruited and trained the entire faculty, implementing its signature programs and best practices. Today, RGHalli has a waitlist of almost 200 students, a testament to the success of this transformative initiative.
Fazal’s unwavering commitment to quality education and inclusivity is an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities.
Harmony in Work and Life: Fazal’s Philosophy
For Fazal, achieving harmony in work and life is of utmost importance. She advocates for integrating one’s life purpose with their work, creating a seamless balance between personal and professional pursuits. To accomplish this, she emphasizes the importance of nurturing the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of life. She expresses, “There will be times when your professional needs outweigh your personal needs and you need to focus on that. But that you need to eventually balance it out with also engaging in non professional things that make you happy, relax and recharge you. So the pendulum of work and life will swing more one way or the other but we as individuals need to constantly strive to keep the balance as much as possible.”
Her own spiritual practices include meditation, connecting with nature, and engaging in physical activities such as golf, yoga, and workouts. Fazal also dedicates time to reading and prioritizing her relationships with family and friends, ensuring she remains grounded.
Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
Nooraine Fazal is acutely aware of the challenges women entrepreneurs face in today’s world. She recognizes that access to funds, work-life integration, and self-confidence are pressing issues that hinder the progress of women in leadership roles. In a Harvard Business Review article, it was highlighted that women are often asked different questions than men when pitching to venture capitalists, leading to an imbalance in funding opportunities.
Fazal believes that women-led companies should provide more flexibility and support for employees, especially in terms of caregiving responsibilities. She points out that even though research shows companies led by female CEOs demonstrate higher performance, women still find themselves underrepresented and underpaid in leadership positions. Fazal encourages women to pay it forward and help upcoming women investors, while also involving men in the process to build trust and bridge gaps.
Empowering the Next Generation
Fazal envisions a world where women can participate as equal partners, benefiting from the opportunities and choices available to them. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the differences between men and women, valuing their unique contributions, and fostering an environment where women can thrive.
As a society, it is crucial to help women overcome these challenges, as their empowerment acts as a catalyst for development at various levels. Fazal’s work with Inventure Academy and her advocacy for women in leadership positions exemplify her commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
The Legacy of a Trailblazer
Nooraine Fazal’s journey is a testament to her tenacity, vision, and passion for education and women’s empowerment. As the Co-Founder and Managing Trustee of Inventure Academy, she has redefined the educational landscape in Bangalore, inspiring countless others to join her in the pursuit of a better future.
Her leadership style, adaptability, and work-life integration philosophy serve as an example for others to follow. As a champion for women entrepreneurs and a visionary in education, Nooraine Fazal’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the lives of future generations.
Company Name: Inventure Academy
Featured Person: Nooraine Fazal, Co-Founder and Managing Trustee
Quotes:
“We aspire to shape young people to be the best they can be.”
“At Inventure Academy, we empower learners to realise their full potential, ignite change and create positive impact.”
“Our school motto ‘Seize the Day’ is an inspirational and relevant guide-post for our learners.”
